Legislation that seeks to allow for the physician-authorized use of cannabis is pending before state lawmakers. Democrat Rep. Patricia Todd (Jefferson) has introduced legislation, House Bill 2: The Alabama Medical Marijuana Patients Rights Act. HB 2 has been referred to the House Committee on Health and has been scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, February 6th.

This measure seeks to enact statewide legal protections for qualified patients who are authorized by their physician to engage in cannabis therapy. The proposal seeks to establish a network of state-regulated not-for-profit dispensaries and delivery services to provide cannabis to patients. Qualified patients would also be able to grow specified quantities of cannabis in private.

According to a December 2012 CBS News nationwide telephone poll of 1,100 adults, 83 percent of Americans favor allowing doctors to authorize specified amounts of marijuana for patients suffering from serious illnesses.

Since 1996, eighteen states and the District of Columbia have approved legislation allowing for the use of cannabis therapy by qualified patients.

Please contact your state House member and urge him or her to support HB 2. For your convenience, a pre-written letter will be e-mailed to your elected official when you visit NORML's 'Take Action Center' here: